Zim GBC News | Crimes and Courts
CHIVHU – A six-year-old pair of twin boys are recovering at Chitungwiza Central Hospital after their biological father allegedly beat, burned, and tortured them for stealing sugar — a case of cruelty that has left the community in shock and the children’s mother demanding justice.
The twins sustained third-degree burns and fractured legs in the assault, which came to light only after neighbours intervened and alerted the police.
Their father has since appeared before the Chivhu Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody.
Speaking to Zim GBC News, the boys’ mother, Rebecca Pfukamayi, described her anguish upon learning what had happened to her children — whom she had left in their father’s care believing they would attend school.
“We separated when I was pregnant with the twin boys. I am now married to someone else, but all along, I was staying with my children, and there was no problem,” Pfukamayi said.
“In December last year, their father requested that the boys stay with him so that he could send them to school, but from January, they were not attending school.”
The abuse was uncovered when police contacted Pfukamayi with a devastating instruction.
“The abuse issue came to light when the police contacted me, asking me to come to Chivhu and take the children to the hospital,” she said.
“They were beaten and tortured by their father after being accused of stealing sugar.”
The mother’s account painted a harrowing picture of neglect and violence.
“They were also severely malnourished and said they were sometimes left to sleep outside the house.”
Perhaps most damning, Pfukamayi revealed that after the horrific injuries were inflicted, neither the father nor the stepmother sought medical help.
“What pains me most is that after injuring my children, both the father and stepmother did not take them to the hospital; neighbours had to intervene and call the police, and that is how my sons got help.”
The twins remain hospitalised, receiving treatment for their burns and fractured limbs. The father is in custody pending further court proceedings.
Authorities have not yet released the father’s name, but sources confirm he faces serious assault charges.
Child protection organisations have been urged to step in as the twins’ long-term welfare remains uncertain.
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